China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West.

But no major new projects were agreed during the two-day visit by President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-president-xi-jinping-arrives-in-myanmar-seeking-to-push-belt-and-road-project-274887">Xi Jinping</a>, the first of any Chinese leader in 19 years. Analysts said Myanmar was generally cautious of investments by Beijing and was also being careful ahead of elections later this year.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b936b964-9b73-438b-9dc5-58e9d88424e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2812%29_3.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Still, Xi and Myanmar leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Aung San Suu Kyi</a> signed 33 agreements shoring up key projects that are part of the flagship Belt and Road Initiative, China’s vision of new trade routes described as a “21st-century silk road”.

They agreed to hasten implementation of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-president-xi-jinping-to-visit-myanmar-today-with-bri-on-agenda-274811">China Myanmar Economic Corridor</a>, a giant infrastructure scheme worth billions of dollars, with agreements on railways linking southwestern China to the Indian Ocean, a deep sea-port in conflict-riven Rakhine state, a special economic zone on the border, and a new city project in the commercial capital of Yangon.

They did not address a controversial $3.6 billion Beijing-backed mega-dam, where work has been stalled since 2011, reflecting the contentiousness of Chinese investment in Myanmar, where many are uncomfortable with the sway Beijing has over its smaller neighbor.

"While a large number of different agreements have been signed, there is no Big Bang here," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-lady-and-the-hague-myanmar-leader-suu-kyi-courts-home-audience-266663">Richard Horsey</a>, a Yangon-based analyst with the International Crisis Group.

"The overall impression is that Myanmar is being cautious about Chinese investment, especially ahead of elections planned later in the year, he said.

"China will be hoping that this is an incremental step towards realizing its mega-infrastructure goals and that further progress can be locked in over the coming months," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;Why China wants a foothold in Myanmar

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At a welcoming ceremony on Friday, Xi hailed a “new era” of relations between the countries.

“We are drawing a future roadmap that will bring to life bilateral relations based on brotherly and sisterly closeness in order to overcome hardships together and provide assistance to each other,” Xi said. He was scheduled to leave later on Saturday.

Suu Kyi called China “a great country playing an important role in the international affairs and the world economy” but urged for economic projects that avoid environmental degradation and benefit locals.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a9ad1453-34a0-4bf7-8271-6bda13edfddd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_16.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Xi also met leaders from political parties in ethnic areas riven with civil conflict where Chinese infrastructure projects are underway.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt, joint-secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, one of the ethnic politicians invited to meet Xi, said it was only a handshake.

“Our country is very small and powerless,” he said, “So they treat us that way.”

<img alt="Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="baae0fdd-850a-466b-ab4b-b54a5486dad3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_13.jpg" /> 
[ Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The two countries have historically had a fraught relationship, but have moved closer since 2017 when Myanmar was internationally condemned for its treatment of minority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Rohingya Muslims</a> in Rakhine state.

More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown that the United Nations has said was executed with “genocidal intent”. China has defended the country on the global stage and is viewed as the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal.

An article in Chinese state media ahead of the state visit said Myanmar had been “derailed” by its engagement with the West and only China was willing to “pull Myanmar from the sludge”.

“But after some turbulence, Myanmar realized there were double standards in the approach Western countries had taken on human rights issues and began to turn to China for diplomatic and economic help,” the article in the Global Times said.

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West.

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West. But no major new projects were agreed during the two-day visit by President Xi Jinping, the first of any Chinese leader in 19 years. Analysts said Myanmar was generally cautious of investments by Beijing and was also being careful ahead of elections later this year. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Still, Xi and Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi signed 33 agreements shoring up key projects that are part of the flagship Belt and Road Initiative, China’s vision of new trade routes described as a “21st-century silk road”. They agreed to hasten implementation of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, a giant infrastructure scheme worth billions of dollars, with agreements on railways linking southwestern China to the Indian Ocean, a deep sea-port in conflict-riven Rakhine state, a special economic zone on the border, and a new city project in the commercial capital of Yangon. They did not address a controversial $3.6 billion Beijing-backed mega-dam, where work has been stalled since 2011, reflecting the contentiousness of Chinese investment in Myanmar, where many are uncomfortable with the sway Beijing has over its smaller neighbor. "While a large number of different agreements have been signed, there is no Big Bang here," said Richard Horsey, a Yangon-based analyst with the International Crisis Group. "The overall impression is that Myanmar is being cautious about Chinese investment, especially ahead of elections planned later in the year, he said. "China will be hoping that this is an incremental step towards realizing its mega-infrastructure goals and that further progress can be locked in over the coming months," he said. Watch: Why China wants a foothold in Myanmar × At a welcoming ceremony on Friday, Xi hailed a “new era” of relations between the countries. “We are drawing a future roadmap that will bring to life bilateral relations based on brotherly and sisterly closeness in order to overcome hardships together and provide assistance to each other,” Xi said. He was scheduled to leave later on Saturday. Suu Kyi called China “a great country playing an important role in the international affairs and the world economy” but urged for economic projects that avoid environmental degradation and benefit locals. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Xi also met leaders from political parties in ethnic areas riven with civil conflict where Chinese infrastructure projects are underway. Sai Kyaw Nyunt, joint-secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, one of the ethnic politicians invited to meet Xi, said it was only a handshake. “Our country is very small and powerless,” he said, “So they treat us that way.” [ Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The two countries have historically had a fraught relationship, but have moved closer since 2017 when Myanmar was internationally condemned for its treatment of minority Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state. More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown that the United Nations has said was executed with “genocidal intent”. China has defended the country on the global stage and is viewed as the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal. An article in Chinese state media ahead of the state visit said Myanmar had been “derailed” by its engagement with the West and only China was willing to “pull Myanmar from the sludge”. “But after some turbulence, Myanmar realized there were double standards in the approach Western countries had taken on human rights issues and began to turn to China for diplomatic and economic help,” the article in the Global Times said.

Myanmar, China ink deals to accelerate Belt and Road project as Xi meets Suu Kyi

China is making major investments in Myanmar - and surrounding India from all sides. Beijing is building more infrastructure investments in the Indian subcontinent. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why India must challenge Xi Jinping's expansionist agenda.

Gravitas: Decoding China's powerplay in Myanmar

Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, recently delivered an address in Delhi. Lavrov is arguably the second most powerful politician in Russia.&nbsp;

He ended his speech with the line - "India and Russia share a special privileged strategic partnership. I hope that our Indian friends will be promoting the same ideology'.

In response, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar called the India-Russia relationship - 'steady' and 'sustained by strong sentiment'.

These words make it clear that the old friendship, sometimes described as adrift, still remains strong.

So how does India see the shakeup in Russia? How does India see&nbsp;Vladimir Putin's attempt to remain in power and what does it mean for the relationship?

India has a remarkable history of democracy. Will that reputation be hurt by siding with leaders with authoritarian streaks? And what about China - the only thorn in India-Russia ties?

WATCH - on the Wion edit, we will discuss all of these questions.

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Putin is poised to stay in power for a long time. This change is being done in-line with the democratic traditions of Russia and the move should bring some stability in Russia and that is good news for India.

If Putin wields absolute power, he threatens Russia's democracy, but that is something for the Russian people to decide and not India.

The only concern for India in its equation with Russia is China, which&nbsp;has been a traditional, historical and ideological ally of the Kremlin.

Last year, Xi Jinping, the Chinese President even called Putin 'his best and bosom friend'.

In the past, the Russia-China relationship has blown hot and cold, there was a border dispute which ran for many decades. China did not help Russia's efforts to build its might in West Asia.

Given this friction, Russia viewed India as leverage against a rapidly rising China. It even pushed for India's inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). But a lot has changed since then.

The world saw a financial crisis. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Russia's economy dwindled. Beijing and Moscow came closer. Financial help from China was a major reason for Russia's recovery from the 2008 crisis.

Since then, Russia and China have expanded their ties. As of 2017, Russia's top export and import destination is China.

China invests ten times more in Russia than Russia invests in China. Last year, Russia even dumped $100 billion from its reserves.&nbsp;Kremlin holds 25 per cent of the total yuan reserves in the world.

In comparison, India and Russia have strong defence ties - 70 per cent of India's defence supplies still come from Russia

Four months ago, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vladivostok in Russia, Putin insisted on an alliance with China and India.

In fact, he's looking at joint alliances with India, China and Turkey to counter the US influence in the region.

But India and China have their own contradictions - the same for India and Turkey, and hence, New Delhi should see Putin's continuity in office and his growing closeness with China in this perspective too.

By the way, it's unlikely that Putin will have his way without any resistance in Russia.

Eight years ago, when 'Prime Minister' Putin swapped his job with the then-President Dmitry Medvedev, large street protests broke out on the streets of Moscow.

Now, the opposition is more visible and active in Russia than it was in 2012. India has a serious task at hand and it must assert itself in Indo-Pacific and prevent China from disrupting the India-Russia relationship. 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)&nbsp;

Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, recently delivered an address in Delhi. Lavrov is arguably the second most powerful politician in Russia. He ended his speech with the line - "India and Russia share a special privileged strategic partnership.

Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, recently delivered an address in Delhi. Lavrov is arguably the second most powerful politician in Russia. He ended his speech with the line - "India and Russia share a special privileged strategic partnership. I hope that our Indian friends will be promoting the same ideology'. In response, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar called the India-Russia relationship - 'steady' and 'sustained by strong sentiment'. These words make it clear that the old friendship, sometimes described as adrift, still remains strong. So how does India see the shakeup in Russia? How does India see Vladimir Putin's attempt to remain in power and what does it mean for the relationship? India has a remarkable history of democracy. Will that reputation be hurt by siding with leaders with authoritarian streaks? And what about China - the only thorn in India-Russia ties? WATCH - on the Wion edit, we will discuss all of these questions. × Putin is poised to stay in power for a long time. This change is being done in-line with the democratic traditions of Russia and the move should bring some stability in Russia and that is good news for India. If Putin wields absolute power, he threatens Russia's democracy, but that is something for the Russian people to decide and not India. The only concern for India in its equation with Russia is China, which has been a traditional, historical and ideological ally of the Kremlin. Last year, Xi Jinping, the Chinese President even called Putin 'his best and bosom friend'. In the past, the Russia-China relationship has blown hot and cold, there was a border dispute which ran for many decades. China did not help Russia's efforts to build its might in West Asia. Given this friction, Russia viewed India as leverage against a rapidly rising China. It even pushed for India's inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). But a lot has changed since then. The world saw a financial crisis. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Russia's economy dwindled. Beijing and Moscow came closer. Financial help from China was a major reason for Russia's recovery from the 2008 crisis. Since then, Russia and China have expanded their ties. As of 2017, Russia's top export and import destination is China. China invests ten times more in Russia than Russia invests in China. Last year, Russia even dumped $100 billion from its reserves. Kremlin holds 25 per cent of the total yuan reserves in the world. In comparison, India and Russia have strong defence ties - 70 per cent of India's defence supplies still come from Russia Four months ago, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vladivostok in Russia, Putin insisted on an alliance with China and India. In fact, he's looking at joint alliances with India, China and Turkey to counter the US influence in the region. But India and China have their own contradictions - the same for India and Turkey, and hence, New Delhi should see Putin's continuity in office and his growing closeness with China in this perspective too. By the way, it's unlikely that Putin will have his way without any resistance in Russia. Eight years ago, when 'Prime Minister' Putin swapped his job with the then-President Dmitry Medvedev, large street protests broke out on the streets of Moscow. Now, the opposition is more visible and active in Russia than it was in 2012. India has a serious task at hand and it must assert itself in Indo-Pacific and prevent China from disrupting the India-Russia relationship. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Is China the only thorn in India-Russia ties?

Sri Lanka has been at the centre of a two-way strategic competition in South Asia. On the one hand is India, on the other is China. Beijing wants to keep Lanka in its fold. Ahead of SL PM Mahinda's India visit, China has promised enhanced ties with Lanka. WION"S Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka at the heart of India-China strategic competition?

President Tsai Ing-wen on January 15 warned China and said that any invasion would be "very costly" for Beijing. China's leadership had made no secret of its desire to see Tsai turfed out because she and her party refuse to acknowledge their view that the island is part of a "one China".

WION Dispatch: Taiwan's new President warns China

China Media Group (CMG) carried out the first rehearsal for its 2020 Spring Festival Gala on Tuesday in Beijing. The gala this year features bright colors to create a festive vibe and all the programs are about trendy topics so as to draw the audience closer to the magnificent event.

China Media Group stages first rehearsal of 2020 Spring Festival Gala

Taiwan separatists are doomed to "stink for eternity", China's top diplomat warned after the island's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dirty-tactics-chinese-media-on-tsais-landslide-taiwan-poll-win-273750">Tsai Ing-wen</a> won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing.

Tsai, who has drawn the ire of Beijing for refusing to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China", secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's vote.

But Chinese Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-china-friendly-presidential-hopeful-faces-backlash-in-divided-south-273096">Wang Yi</a> dismissed her victory and warned supporters of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-incited-criminal-activity-says-china-after-denying-kenneth-roth-entry-into-hong-kong-274076">Taiwan independence</a> during a week-long tour through Africa.

"Splitting the country is doomed to leave a name that will stink for eternity," Wang said in a statement on Monday.

The "one-China principle" is a "universal consensus" held by the international community, he said, and one that will "not be affected in the slightest by a&nbsp;local election in Taiwan."

Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan, by force if necessary, loathes Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China.

Over the last four years, the Chinese government has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition.

But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-united-states-for-congratulating-tsai-ing-wen-on-taiwan-poll-win-273789">Democratic Progressive Party</a>, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

After Tsai's victory, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-will-not-change-position-on-taiwan-after-landslide-election-273675">China</a> doubled down on its "one-China principle", with foreign ministry spokesman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-protests-to-china-over-border-intrusion-near-south-china-sea-271269">Geng Shuang</a> emphasising that "there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China."

He also slammed country leaders who had congratulated Tsai's win, including the US, Britain, and Japan.

"We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China," Geng said in a statement.

Wang issued a strong warning to Taiwan separatists during a trip that took him to Zimbabwe, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea and Burundi, highlighting China's growing political interest and economic clout in Africa.

African leaders on his trip "all clearly expressed adherence to the one-China principle," said Wang in a statement.

They all see Taiwan as an "inseparable part of China's territory," he added.

Taiwan separatists are doomed to "stink for eternity", China's top diplomat warned after the island's President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing.

Taiwan separatists are doomed to "stink for eternity", China's top diplomat warned after the island's President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing. Tsai, who has drawn the ire of Beijing for refusing to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China", secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's vote. But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed her victory and warned supporters of Taiwan independence during a week-long tour through Africa. "Splitting the country is doomed to leave a name that will stink for eternity," Wang said in a statement on Monday. The "one-China principle" is a "universal consensus" held by the international community, he said, and one that will "not be affected in the slightest by a local election in Taiwan." Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan, by force if necessary, loathes Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China. Over the last four years, the Chinese government has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition. But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. After Tsai's victory, China doubled down on its "one-China principle", with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang emphasising that "there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China." He also slammed country leaders who had congratulated Tsai's win, including the US, Britain, and Japan. "We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China," Geng said in a statement. Wang issued a strong warning to Taiwan separatists during a trip that took him to Zimbabwe, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea and Burundi, highlighting China's growing political interest and economic clout in Africa. African leaders on his trip "all clearly expressed adherence to the one-China principle," said Wang in a statement. They all see Taiwan as an "inseparable part of China's territory," he added.

Taiwan separatists will 'stink for eternity': China

The United States and China have agreed to restart semi-annual talks aimed at resolving economic disputes between the two countries, a process abandoned at the start of the Trump administration as a trade conflict between the countries escalated.

An official familiar with the deliberations said the resumption of the US&nbsp;China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue will be announced on Jan. 15 as part of the signing of a Phase 1 trade deal between the US&nbsp;and China.

The restart of the meetings was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The regular meetings will provide a forum for steady, high-level conversation between the world's two largest economies separate from the sometimes rocky negotiations over their trade relationship.

The sessions will likely be lead by US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/details-of-us-china-deal-to-be-published-after-signing-white-house-273483">Details of US-China deal to be published after signing: White House</a>

The two sides have been embroiled in a trade war for well over a year, with the use of import tariffs by both sides upending global supply chains and dealing a blow to business confidence.

The twice-yearly Strategic Economic Dialogue began under former President George W. Bush as a way for the world's two largest economic powers to manage the growing array of issues that arose between them as China's economy and its exports to the US&nbsp;expanded rapidly in the early 2000s.

It was continued under President Barack Obama and initially by President Donald Trump as well. The first round of what the Trump administration renamed the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue was held in July, 2017.

But the regular sessions, sprawling affairs often criticized as heavy on process and light on tangible outcomes, were abandoned as the Trump administration moved towards a more confrontational approach to China that relied on the use of tariffs to pressure the country into economic concessions.

The United States and China have agreed to restart semi-annual talks aimed at resolving economic disputes between the two countries, a process abandoned at the start of the Trump administration as a trade conflict between the countries escalated.

The United States and China have agreed to restart semi-annual talks aimed at resolving economic disputes between the two countries, a process abandoned at the start of the Trump administration as a trade conflict between the countries escalated. An official familiar with the deliberations said the resumption of the US China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue will be announced on Jan. 15 as part of the signing of a Phase 1 trade deal between the US and China. The restart of the meetings was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The regular meetings will provide a forum for steady, high-level conversation between the world's two largest economies separate from the sometimes rocky negotiations over their trade relationship. The sessions will likely be lead by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. Also read: Details of US-China deal to be published after signing: White House The two sides have been embroiled in a trade war for well over a year, with the use of import tariffs by both sides upending global supply chains and dealing a blow to business confidence. The twice-yearly Strategic Economic Dialogue began under former President George W. Bush as a way for the world's two largest economic powers to manage the growing array of issues that arose between them as China's economy and its exports to the US expanded rapidly in the early 2000s. It was continued under President Barack Obama and initially by President Donald Trump as well. The first round of what the Trump administration renamed the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue was held in July, 2017. But the regular sessions, sprawling affairs often criticized as heavy on process and light on tangible outcomes, were abandoned as the Trump administration moved towards a more confrontational approach to China that relied on the use of tariffs to pressure the country into economic concessions.

US, China agree to semi-annual talks aimed at reforms, resolving disputes

China has launched the world's largest telescope which will be used for space research and will also help Beijing hunt extraterrestrial life, news agency Reuters reported quoting state news agency Xinhua.&nbsp;

The operations of the telescope, which is also known as "Sky Eye", were launched on Saturday. As per reports, the telescope is as big as the size of 30 football fields and was constructed in the year 2016.&nbsp;

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) has been hewed out of a mountain in the southwestern province of Guizhou in China.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smart-robots-in-the-offing-to-help-mine-the-moon-272277">Smart robots in the offing to help mine the moon</a>

The telescope is one of Beijing's attempts to advance its space programme and catch up with space research pioneers like the United States and Russia. It also plans to launch the construction of its manned space station by next year.

The telescope's trial operations had so far been reliable and stable, FAST's Chief Engineer Jiang Peng told Xinhua, adding that its sensitivity was more than 2.5 times that of the world's second-largest telescope.

The project is expected to lead to breakthroughs in areas such as low-frequency gravitational wave detection and interstellar molecules in years to come and has already obtained some valuable scientific data.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

China has launched the world's largest telescope which will be used for space research and will also help Beijing hunt extraterrestrial life, news agency Reuters reported quoting state news agency Xinhua.

China has launched the world's largest telescope which will be used for space research and will also help Beijing hunt extraterrestrial life, news agency Reuters reported quoting state news agency Xinhua. The operations of the telescope, which is also known as "Sky Eye", were launched on Saturday. As per reports, the telescope is as big as the size of 30 football fields and was constructed in the year 2016. The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) has been hewed out of a mountain in the southwestern province of Guizhou in China. Also read: Smart robots in the offing to help mine the moon The telescope is one of Beijing's attempts to advance its space programme and catch up with space research pioneers like the United States and Russia. It also plans to launch the construction of its manned space station by next year. The telescope's trial operations had so far been reliable and stable, FAST's Chief Engineer Jiang Peng told Xinhua, adding that its sensitivity was more than 2.5 times that of the world's second-largest telescope. The project is expected to lead to breakthroughs in areas such as low-frequency gravitational wave detection and interstellar molecules in years to come and has already obtained some valuable scientific data. (With inputs from Reuters)

In a bid to hunt life beyond Earth, China launches world's largest telescope 

Chinese state media have accused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-president-tsai-ing-wen-declares-victory-in-taiwan-election-273651">Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen</a> of "dirty tactics" and cheating after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China, secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's presidential election.

But Chinese state media sought to downplay her victory, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Tsai's campaign.

"This is obviously not a normal election," said official news agency Xinhua in an English-language editorial on Sunday.

Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) used "dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature", it added.

Xinhua also accused Tsai of buying votes in a Chinese-language op-ed. It also said "external dark forces" were partly responsible for the election results.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-will-not-change-position-on-taiwan-after-landslide-election-273675">China says will not change position on Taiwan after landslide election</a>

Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan -- by force if necessary -- loathes Tsai because she refuses to acknowledge the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China".

China doubled down on its "one-China principle" after Tsai's victory, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang emphasising Sunday that "regardless of what happens in Taiwan, the basic facts won't change: there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China".

"The Chinese government's position won't change," he added in a statement.

Over the last four years, Beijing has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition.

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But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's DPP, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Chinese state media have accused Tsai, who frequently invokes Hong Kong's protests as a warning about a Beijing-controlled Taiwan, of fear mongering.

Tsai and her party are "orchestrating tensions", wrote the nationalistic Global Times on Saturday.

At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese leader "wantonly hyped up the so-called threat from the Chinese mainland while slandering Han Kuo-yu's mainland connections", it said, referring to her Beijing-friendly main opponent from the Kuomintang party.

Chinese state media also dismissed Saturday's election results as an anomaly in long-term ties between Taiwan and the mainland, with Xinhua describing Tsai's win as a "fluke".

"The fact that the Chinese mainland is getting increasingly stronger and the Taiwan island is getting weaker is an inevitable reality," added the Global Times.

"Recognising and complying with the reality is the only feasible option for Taiwan's peaceful development."

Chinese state media have accused Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of "dirty tactics" and cheating after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

Chinese state media have accused Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of "dirty tactics" and cheating after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island. Tsai, who has pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China, secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's presidential election. But Chinese state media sought to downplay her victory, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Tsai's campaign. "This is obviously not a normal election," said official news agency Xinhua in an English-language editorial on Sunday. Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) used "dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature", it added. Xinhua also accused Tsai of buying votes in a Chinese-language op-ed. It also said "external dark forces" were partly responsible for the election results. Also read: China says will not change position on Taiwan after landslide election Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan -- by force if necessary -- loathes Tsai because she refuses to acknowledge the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China". China doubled down on its "one-China principle" after Tsai's victory, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang emphasising Sunday that "regardless of what happens in Taiwan, the basic facts won't change: there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China". "The Chinese government's position won't change," he added in a statement. Over the last four years, Beijing has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition. × But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's DPP, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Chinese state media have accused Tsai, who frequently invokes Hong Kong's protests as a warning about a Beijing-controlled Taiwan, of fear mongering. Tsai and her party are "orchestrating tensions", wrote the nationalistic Global Times on Saturday. At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese leader "wantonly hyped up the so-called threat from the Chinese mainland while slandering Han Kuo-yu's mainland connections", it said, referring to her Beijing-friendly main opponent from the Kuomintang party. Chinese state media also dismissed Saturday's election results as an anomaly in long-term ties between Taiwan and the mainland, with Xinhua describing Tsai's win as a "fluke". "The fact that the Chinese mainland is getting increasingly stronger and the Taiwan island is getting weaker is an inevitable reality," added the Global Times. "Recognising and complying with the reality is the only feasible option for Taiwan's peaceful development."

'Dirty tactics': Chinese media downplays Tsai's landslide Taiwan poll win

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rebalancing-needed-as-both-western-northern-fronts-require-equal-attention-says-army-chief-273613">China</a>&nbsp;will not make&nbsp;significant&nbsp;cuts to&nbsp;subsidies&nbsp;for&nbsp;new&nbsp;energy&nbsp;vehicles (NEV) this year, signalling that its policy will remain relatively stable, state media quoted the country's industry ministry as saying on Saturday.

Earlier, Miao Wei, China's minister for industry and information technology (MIIT), told a forum that the country would not cut subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) again in July, an approach which was cheered by vehicle makers.

The government-backed Beijing&nbsp;News said an MIIT representative, in response to Miao's statement, said that "this year's NEV subsidy policy will remain relatively stable and there will not be&nbsp;significant&nbsp;cuts".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tsai-sweeping-taiwan-elections-with-half-eligible-votes-counted-report-273630">Beijing</a> has been slowly rolling back a generous 5-year subsidy programme for NEVs, which began in 2016, saying it plans to phase out&nbsp;subsidies&nbsp;after&nbsp;2020, amid criticism that some firms have become overly reliant on the funds.

China's monthly NEV sales dropped for the first time in two years in July as the subsidy&nbsp;cuts reached a&nbsp;new&nbsp;level, and have continued falling since.

"There was a subsidy&nbsp;cut&nbsp;on July 1 last year and everyone has been concerned about whether we will see more&nbsp;cuts this year," Miao told the EV100 annual gathering of senior auto industry executives in Beijing.

"Today I can tell everyone, we will not&nbsp;cut&nbsp;it in July this year."

Miao's speech was the "best&nbsp;news", He Xiaopeng, chief executive of EV startup XPeng Motors, told reporters, adding that policy stability was crucial to the industry.

Miao also said NEV sales hit 163,000 units in December and full-year sales stood at 1.2 million NEVs, a drop from 1.3 million in 2018.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-auto-sales-fall-69-in-august-14th-month-of-decline-248990">China&nbsp;Association of Automobile Manufacturers</a> will announce 2019 full-year sales figures on Monday. Last month, it said that NEV sales from January to November hit 1.04 million.

Automakers who stand to benefit include <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/stripteasing-musk-launches-tesla-suv-programme-at-new-china-factory-272725">Tesla</a>, which started making deliveries from its $2-billion Shanghai plant this month and secured NEV&nbsp;subsidies&nbsp;in December, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric car maker BYD as well as aspiring Tesla-challenger Nio Inc.

China will not make significant cuts to subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) this year, signalling that its policy will remain relatively stable, state media quoted the country's industry ministry as saying on Saturday.

China will not make significant cuts to subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) this year, signalling that its policy will remain relatively stable, state media quoted the country's industry ministry as saying on Saturday. Earlier, Miao Wei, China's minister for industry and information technology (MIIT), told a forum that the country would not cut subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) again in July, an approach which was cheered by vehicle makers. The government-backed Beijing News said an MIIT representative, in response to Miao's statement, said that "this year's NEV subsidy policy will remain relatively stable and there will not be significant cuts". Beijing has been slowly rolling back a generous 5-year subsidy programme for NEVs, which began in 2016, saying it plans to phase out subsidies after 2020, amid criticism that some firms have become overly reliant on the funds. China's monthly NEV sales dropped for the first time in two years in July as the subsidy cuts reached a new level, and have continued falling since. "There was a subsidy cut on July 1 last year and everyone has been concerned about whether we will see more cuts this year," Miao told the EV100 annual gathering of senior auto industry executives in Beijing. "Today I can tell everyone, we will not cut it in July this year." Miao's speech was the "best news", He Xiaopeng, chief executive of EV startup XPeng Motors, told reporters, adding that policy stability was crucial to the industry. Miao also said NEV sales hit 163,000 units in December and full-year sales stood at 1.2 million NEVs, a drop from 1.3 million in 2018. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers will announce 2019 full-year sales figures on Monday. Last month, it said that NEV sales from January to November hit 1.04 million. Automakers who stand to benefit include Tesla, which started making deliveries from its $2-billion Shanghai plant this month and secured NEV subsidies in December, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric car maker BYD as well as aspiring Tesla-challenger Nio Inc.

China's Miao Wei: No significant cut in 'New Energy Vehicle' subsidies in 2020

Unfurling another addition to its high-speed railway expansion project, China just pressed into service a driverless <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/carlos-ghosn-fled-by-bullet-train-japan-vows-to-bolster-borders-272500">bullet train</a> that is capable of running at the speed of 350 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;

Right ahead of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the train comes into service and will run on the 108-mile railway corridor which will connect capital city Beijing and the Olympic hosting city of Zhangjiakou.&nbsp;

As per reports, the travel time between Beijing and Zhangjiakou will now come down to around 47 minutes when it used to take three hours previously.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bullet-train-between-china-india-great-idea-chinese-consul-general-165477">Bullet train between China-India 'great idea', says Chinese Consul General</a>&nbsp;

The high-speed bullet train service will run on the Jing-Zhang high-speed railway line which will have 10 stops in total and will link cities like Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou that will host 2022 Winter Olympics events.

China is home to the world's largest network of high-speed railways that travels to around 35,000 kilometres.&nbsp;

China's Shanghai maglev, the world's fastest commercial electric train, operates in Shanghai, cruising at the speed of 431 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;

Also known as the Shanghai Transrapid, the train links Longyang Road and Shanghai Pudong Airport on the eastern side of Shanghai.

Unfurling another addition to its high-speed railway expansion project, China just pressed into service a driverless bullet train that is capable of running at the speed of 350 kilometres per hour.

Unfurling another addition to its high-speed railway expansion project, China just pressed into service a driverless bullet train that is capable of running at the speed of 350 kilometres per hour. Right ahead of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the train comes into service and will run on the 108-mile railway corridor which will connect capital city Beijing and the Olympic hosting city of Zhangjiakou. As per reports, the travel time between Beijing and Zhangjiakou will now come down to around 47 minutes when it used to take three hours previously. Also read: Bullet train between China-India 'great idea', says Chinese Consul General The high-speed bullet train service will run on the Jing-Zhang high-speed railway line which will have 10 stops in total and will link cities like Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou that will host 2022 Winter Olympics events. China is home to the world's largest network of high-speed railways that travels to around 35,000 kilometres. China's Shanghai maglev, the world's fastest commercial electric train, operates in Shanghai, cruising at the speed of 431 kilometres per hour. Also known as the Shanghai Transrapid, the train links Longyang Road and Shanghai Pudong Airport on the eastern side of Shanghai.

China flags of world's first 350km-per-hour driverless bullet train 

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests.

In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city".

"Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-luo-huining-replaced-wang-zhimin-as-hong-kongs-top-envoy-272120">Luo</a> told reporters.

"In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path."

In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">Hong Kong</a>.

Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-must-confront-chinas-communist-party-259032">Communist Party</a> in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer.

Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai.

Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party.

They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path". The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests. In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city". "Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," Luo told reporters. "In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path." In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in Hong Kong. Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer. Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party. They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest. Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

Hope Hong Kong can return to right path, says new chief of China's liaison office

Beijing's growing influence may stroke US anxieties deeper as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-viral-pneumonia-infects-several-in-china-272495">China</a> on Monday hoped to expand its newly restored ties with the pacific state of&nbsp;strategic but mothballed Chinese space tracking station,&nbsp;Kiribati, as per reports.

A senior Chinese diplomat said Beijing was "open" to all sorts of projects in Kiribati, an ex-British colony made up mainly of atolls in the central Pacific, in waters dominated by the United States and its allies since World War Two.

Speaking to reporters after Chinese President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-qasem-soleimani-violates-international-law-272517">Xi Jinping</a> met Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau in Beijing, the diplomat, Lu Kang, did not respond directly to a question about whether Beijing planned to reopen the space tracking station.

"A lot of ideas, a lot of initiatives for joint ventures are still on the way," said Lu, who heads the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs.

"So long as any ideas that could benefit both sides, especially both peoples on both sides, definitely China is open to these kinds of ideas," he said, without elaborating.

China's space program is overseen by the military, which has so far declined to comment on the Kiribati facility.

China and Kiribati restored diplomatic ties last year after the Pacific state cut them with Taiwan. China considers <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-rattles-sabre-and-offers-friendship-days-before-taiwans-elections-271145">Taiwan</a> merely a Chinese province, with no right to state-to-state relations, and refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognize Taipei.

Kiribati had established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2003, prompting the break with Beijing.

Up until then, China had operated a space tracking station in Kiribati, which played a role in tracking China's first manned space flight and is in a part of the world where the United States tests missiles and other military hardware.

A former Taiwanese ambassador to Kiribati, Abraham Chu, told Taiwan's Central News Agency last year that China had never fully removed the tracking station in Kiribati and that it "could come back at any time".

The Solomon Islands, another Pacific state, also switched to Beijing from Taipei last year, in a process watched with concern by Washington, which is wary of China's growing global clout.

Taiwan now has formal relations with just 15 countries, mostly small and poor nations in Latin America and the Pacific, including Nauru, Tuvalu, and Palau. China has signaled it is coming for the rest of Taiwan's allies.

Beijing's growing influence may stroke US anxieties deeper as China on Monday hoped to expand its newly restored ties with the pacific state of strategic but mothballed Chinese space tracking station, Kiribati, as per reports.

Beijing's growing influence may stroke US anxieties deeper as China on Monday hoped to expand its newly restored ties with the pacific state of strategic but mothballed Chinese space tracking station, Kiribati, as per reports. A senior Chinese diplomat said Beijing was "open" to all sorts of projects in Kiribati, an ex-British colony made up mainly of atolls in the central Pacific, in waters dominated by the United States and its allies since World War Two. Speaking to reporters after Chinese President Xi Jinping met Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau in Beijing, the diplomat, Lu Kang, did not respond directly to a question about whether Beijing planned to reopen the space tracking station. "A lot of ideas, a lot of initiatives for joint ventures are still on the way," said Lu, who heads the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs. "So long as any ideas that could benefit both sides, especially both peoples on both sides, definitely China is open to these kinds of ideas," he said, without elaborating. China's space program is overseen by the military, which has so far declined to comment on the Kiribati facility. China and Kiribati restored diplomatic ties last year after the Pacific state cut them with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan merely a Chinese province, with no right to state-to-state relations, and refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognize Taipei. Kiribati had established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2003, prompting the break with Beijing. Up until then, China had operated a space tracking station in Kiribati, which played a role in tracking China's first manned space flight and is in a part of the world where the United States tests missiles and other military hardware. A former Taiwanese ambassador to Kiribati, Abraham Chu, told Taiwan's Central News Agency last year that China had never fully removed the tracking station in Kiribati and that it "could come back at any time". The Solomon Islands, another Pacific state, also switched to Beijing from Taipei last year, in a process watched with concern by Washington, which is wary of China's growing global clout. Taiwan now has formal relations with just 15 countries, mostly small and poor nations in Latin America and the Pacific, including Nauru, Tuvalu, and Palau. China has signaled it is coming for the rest of Taiwan's allies.

China eyes increased ties with Kiribati, site of space tracking station

China has confirmed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">mysterious viral pneumonia</a> that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organization</a> (WHO)&nbsp;had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004.

China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus.&nbsp;

China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis.&nbsp;

"We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said.

Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. &nbsp;

The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak.

The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. &nbsp;

"The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently".

The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals.

(Inputs from Agencies)

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The World Health Organization (WHO) had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004. China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus. China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis. "We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said. Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source. Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak. The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. "The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently". The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals. (Inputs from Agencies)

Mysterious viral pneumonia infects several in China

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sets-up-hong-kong-crisis-centre-in-mainland-open-to-replacing-chief-liaison-264564">Wang Zhimin</a>, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment.

Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">Hong Kong</a> are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hsbc-suspended-overnight-services-at-19-atm-clusters-in-hong-kong-after-branches-vandalised-271907">Beijing</a> was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city.

The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-celebrate-new-year-with-a-fresh-wave-of-protests-271280">Communist Party of China</a>.

Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment. Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China: Luo Huining replaces Wang Zhimin as Hong Kong's top envoy

Chinese capital city <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/weaponising-the-yuan-a-double-edged-sword-for-beijing-241482">Beijing</a> cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent&nbsp;in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday.

Average concentrations last year of small, hazardous breathable particles known as PM2.5 were at 42 micrograms per cubic meter, the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau said.

That was down 17.65&nbsp;per cent from an average 51 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018, but still above China's official air quality standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter - and more than four times higher than the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organization</a>'s annual PM2.5 concentration guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

"Pollution in autumn and winter are still relatively severe, with average PM2.5 concentrations 33.3&nbsp;per cent higher than other periods," Beijing's environmental bureau said.

Beijing has been on the frontlines of China's war on pollution that was launched in 2014 and has worked to shut down and relocate polluting industries, improve fuel and emission standards, and reduce coal consumption both in the city and in surrounding regions.

Overall PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city dropped 53&nbsp;per cent in 2019 compared with 2013, according to the bureau.

Chinese capital city Beijing cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday.

Chinese capital city Beijing cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday. Average concentrations last year of small, hazardous breathable particles known as PM2.5 were at 42 micrograms per cubic meter, the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau said. That was down 17.65 per cent from an average 51 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018, but still above China's official air quality standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter - and more than four times higher than the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 concentration guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter. "Pollution in autumn and winter are still relatively severe, with average PM2.5 concentrations 33.3 per cent higher than other periods," Beijing's environmental bureau said. Beijing has been on the frontlines of China's war on pollution that was launched in 2014 and has worked to shut down and relocate polluting industries, improve fuel and emission standards, and reduce coal consumption both in the city and in surrounding regions. Overall PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city dropped 53 per cent in 2019 compared with 2013, according to the bureau.

Beijing cuts city smog by more than 17% in 2019

A Belgian judge on Thursday suspended consideration of a Spanish warrant seeking the return of two Catalan separatist leaders to face trial, their lawyer said.

Exiled former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont and his health minister Toni Comin were elected members of the European Parliament in May last year.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last month that they enjoy immunity from prosecution unless Spain requests this be removed and their fellow MEPs agree.

On Thursday, Puigdemont's Belgian lawyer Simon Bekaert told AFP the European Arrest Warrant levelled against the men by the Spanish court should now be rejected.

Separately, Puigdemont's camp issued a triumphant statement.

"Today, the Belgian justice system has once again stopped the attempt to extradite president Puigdemont and councillor Comin because they recognise their immunity," it said.

On Twitter, Puigdemont declared: "Spain must act in the same way as Belgium has done and respect the law."

Puigdemont served as president of the Catalan region of Spain between January 2016 and October 2017, during which time he helped organise an independence referendum.

He fled Spain after attempting to declare independence on the strength of the result of the banned vote. &nbsp;

His latest arrest warrant was issued by Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena shortly after his court convicted several other Catalan separatist leaders on similar charges.

Another Catalan pro-independence leader, Oriol Junqueras, was arrested in Spain and has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for sedition over his role in the referendum.

But he was also elected to the European Parliament while still in pre-trial detention in last May's EU-wide vote and appealed to the ECJ, leading to last month's immunity decision.

Puigdemont took the opportunity of the latest Belgian decision to demand Junqueras' release.&nbsp;

Another Catalan politician, former regional culture minister Luis Puig, is also in Belgium and is not an MEP. He is still facing possible extradition in the case.&nbsp;

The next Belgian hearing in the extradition case is on February 3 but the judge is expected to take note of the examining magistrate's decision to recognise Puigdemont and Comin's immunity. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In recent months, renewed protests have erupted in the region, with police clashing with Catalan crowds angered by the lengthy prison sentences imposed by the Madrid court.

Courts in Belgium, Germany and Scotland have so far refused to extradite Puigdemont and other senior Catalan politicians sought by Spain for their role in the 2017 crisis.

A Belgian judge on Thursday suspended consideration of a Spanish warrant seeking the return of two Catalan separatist leaders to face trial, their lawyer said. Exiled former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont and his health minister Toni Comin were elected members of the European Parliament in May last year.

A Belgian judge on Thursday suspended consideration of a Spanish warrant seeking the return of two Catalan separatist leaders to face trial, their lawyer said. Exiled former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont and his health minister Toni Comin were elected members of the European Parliament in May last year. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last month that they enjoy immunity from prosecution unless Spain requests this be removed and their fellow MEPs agree. On Thursday, Puigdemont's Belgian lawyer Simon Bekaert told AFP the European Arrest Warrant levelled against the men by the Spanish court should now be rejected. Separately, Puigdemont's camp issued a triumphant statement. "Today, the Belgian justice system has once again stopped the attempt to extradite president Puigdemont and councillor Comin because they recognise their immunity," it said. On Twitter, Puigdemont declared: "Spain must act in the same way as Belgium has done and respect the law." Puigdemont served as president of the Catalan region of Spain between January 2016 and October 2017, during which time he helped organise an independence referendum. He fled Spain after attempting to declare independence on the strength of the result of the banned vote. His latest arrest warrant was issued by Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena shortly after his court convicted several other Catalan separatist leaders on similar charges. Another Catalan pro-independence leader, Oriol Junqueras, was arrested in Spain and has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for sedition over his role in the referendum. But he was also elected to the European Parliament while still in pre-trial detention in last May's EU-wide vote and appealed to the ECJ, leading to last month's immunity decision. Puigdemont took the opportunity of the latest Belgian decision to demand Junqueras' release. Another Catalan politician, former regional culture minister Luis Puig, is also in Belgium and is not an MEP. He is still facing possible extradition in the case. The next Belgian hearing in the extradition case is on February 3 but the judge is expected to take note of the examining magistrate's decision to recognise Puigdemont and Comin's immunity. In recent months, renewed protests have erupted in the region, with police clashing with Catalan crowds angered by the lengthy prison sentences imposed by the Madrid court. Courts in Belgium, Germany and Scotland have so far refused to extradite Puigdemont and other senior Catalan politicians sought by Spain for their role in the 2017 crisis.

Belgium suspends extradition case for Catalan MEPs

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-government-fines-hsbc-1924-million-in-tax-evasion-case-267705">HSBC</a>&nbsp;is being drawn into&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its&nbsp;branches&nbsp;and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is the bank's single most important market, accounting for just over half of its $12.5 billion pre-tax profits in the first half of 2019, though with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">protests</a> tipping&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's economy into recession,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;and its peers are expected to take a financial hit.

Until now,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;had largely escaped direct involvement in the often-violent anti-government protests that have shaken&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;for more than six months even as other companies with perceived links to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/airbus-beats-goal-with-863-jet-deliveries-in-2019-ousts-boeing-from-top-spot-271445">Beijing</a> have seen premises&nbsp;vandalised, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-protesters-vow-to-keep-fighting-police-fire-tear-gas-271427">Bank of China</a> (Hong&nbsp;Kong),&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's second largest bank behind&nbsp;HSBC.

But more recently,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit in action by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign.

Protesters link the bank's closure in November of an account held by a group called Spark Alliance, which helps pay protesters' legal costs, to the December arrest of four Spark Alliance members on money laundering charges.

HSBC&nbsp;has strongly denied any connection.

"People are angry because they feel that&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;has stopped money getting to the protesters," one protester said on Wednesday, of the decision to close the account as he stood in a group taking photos of the damaged lions.

HSBC&nbsp;said in a statement after the arrests that the decision to close the account was "in accordance to international regulatory standards".

"Our decision is completely unrelated to the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Police’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">arrest</a> of the four individuals on 19 December 2019.&nbsp;We&nbsp;closed&nbsp;the account in November 2019 following direct instruction from the customer," the bank said.

It is highly unusual for&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;to comment on individual cases.

Two&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;branches&nbsp;and seven indoor ATM clusters were&nbsp;closed&nbsp;on Thursday, the first working day of the&nbsp;year.

Some had their windows smashed and "support Spark Alliance" was spray painted on their walls during a New&nbsp;Year's Day anti-government protest march. Others were damaged during protests on Christmas Eve.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong kicks off 2020 fresh protests

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The two lions were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid.

HSBC&nbsp;said on Thursday initial cleaning of the lions had begun.

"We are engaging conservation experts to advise us on the professional restoration required and the process can take time," the bank said in a statement.

More than 90 per cent&nbsp;of the $4.4 billion generated by&nbsp;HSBC's retail banking and wealth management unit in the six months to last June, came from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/last-year-was-marked-by-defiance-dissent-2020-is-likely-to-be-no-different-271611">Hong&nbsp;Kong</a>.

HSBC&nbsp;has also deployed billions of dollars in China’s southern Pearl River Delta region, adjacent to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, and has expanded its services in the world’s second largest economy.

Beijing plans to integrate the Pearl River Delta and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-praises-macau-for-choosing-unity-and-negotiation-over-contention-269302">Macau</a> to create an economic powerhouse under its Greater Bay Area Initiative.

HSBC's entanglement in the protests underlines the tightrope that companies have had to walk since the protests got going in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party.

The demonstrations have evolved into a broad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-readies-for-new-year-democracy-rally-271378">pro-democracy movement</a>.

"Clearly, there is a fine line for management to draw between customers and the Chinese authorities,” said a head of corporate governance at a UK-based asset manager and&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;shareholder.

Other&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;companies have been damaged by being perceived to be too supportive of the protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/seven-hong-kong-airlines-planes-impounded-by-authority-268722">Cathay Pacific Airways</a> was forced by Beijing to suspend staff involved in the protests, and chief executive Rupert Hogg and his top deputy resigned in August amid the turmoil.

HSBC&nbsp;has previously been targeted by supporters of Beijing.

Users of China's Weibo social media platform shared screenshots last&nbsp;year&nbsp;of an&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;employee's Facebook posts supporting the protests. The posts urged readers to complain to&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;management.

"Businesses now have to consider how three different groups will react to their decisions: The Chinese government,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;protesters, and Chinese consumers," said Kent Kedl, head of Control Risks' Greater China practice.

HSBC is being drawn into Hong Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its branches and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters.

HSBC is being drawn into Hong Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its branches and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters. Hong Kong is the bank's single most important market, accounting for just over half of its $12.5 billion pre-tax profits in the first half of 2019, though with the protests tipping Hong Kong's economy into recession, HSBC and its peers are expected to take a financial hit. Until now, HSBC had largely escaped direct involvement in the often-violent anti-government protests that have shaken Hong Kong for more than six months even as other companies with perceived links to Beijing have seen premises vandalised, including Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hong Kong's second largest bank behind HSBC. But more recently, HSBC has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit in action by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign. Protesters link the bank's closure in November of an account held by a group called Spark Alliance, which helps pay protesters' legal costs, to the December arrest of four Spark Alliance members on money laundering charges. HSBC has strongly denied any connection. "People are angry because they feel that HSBC has stopped money getting to the protesters," one protester said on Wednesday, of the decision to close the account as he stood in a group taking photos of the damaged lions. HSBC said in a statement after the arrests that the decision to close the account was "in accordance to international regulatory standards". "Our decision is completely unrelated to the Hong Kong Police’s arrest of the four individuals on 19 December 2019. We closed the account in November 2019 following direct instruction from the customer," the bank said. It is highly unusual for HSBC to comment on individual cases. Two HSBC branches and seven indoor ATM clusters were closed on Thursday, the first working day of the year. Some had their windows smashed and "support Spark Alliance" was spray painted on their walls during a New Year's Day anti-government protest march. Others were damaged during protests on Christmas Eve. Also Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 fresh protests × The two lions were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid. HSBC said on Thursday initial cleaning of the lions had begun. "We are engaging conservation experts to advise us on the professional restoration required and the process can take time," the bank said in a statement. More than 90 per cent of the $4.4 billion generated by HSBC's retail banking and wealth management unit in the six months to last June, came from Hong Kong. HSBC has also deployed billions of dollars in China’s southern Pearl River Delta region, adjacent to Hong Kong, and has expanded its services in the world’s second largest economy. Beijing plans to integrate the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong and Macau to create an economic powerhouse under its Greater Bay Area Initiative. HSBC's entanglement in the protests underlines the tightrope that companies have had to walk since the protests got going in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. The demonstrations have evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement. "Clearly, there is a fine line for management to draw between customers and the Chinese authorities,” said a head of corporate governance at a UK-based asset manager and HSBC shareholder. Other Hong Kong companies have been damaged by being perceived to be too supportive of the protests. Cathay Pacific Airways was forced by Beijing to suspend staff involved in the protests, and chief executive Rupert Hogg and his top deputy resigned in August amid the turmoil. HSBC has previously been targeted by supporters of Beijing. Users of China's Weibo social media platform shared screenshots last year of an HSBC employee's Facebook posts supporting the protests. The posts urged readers to complain to HSBC management. "Businesses now have to consider how three different groups will react to their decisions: The Chinese government, Hong Kong protesters, and Chinese consumers," said Kent Kedl, head of Control Risks' Greater China practice.

HSBC begins year with Hong Kong branches closed, vandalised

Taiwan's parliament passed an anti-infiltration&nbsp;law&nbsp;on Tuesday to&nbsp;combat&nbsp;perceived threats from China as the island gears up for a presidential vote on January&nbsp;11 amid heightened tension with Beijing.

The legislation is part of a years-long effort to&nbsp;combat&nbsp;what many in&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;see as&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;efforts to&nbsp;influence&nbsp;politics&nbsp;and the democratic process, through illicit funding of politicians and the media and other methods.

The move further strains ties between&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;and Beijing, which suspects&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-tsai-ing-wen-urges-world-to-stand-up-to-china-147236">Tsai Ing-wen</a> of pushing for the island's formal independence and has ramped up pressure on her since she took office in 2016.

Watch:&nbsp;China irked by US-Taiwan arms deal

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"The rise of China has posed a threat to all countries, and&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;is facing the biggest threat," Chen Ou-po of the majority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-appoints-new-premier-after-resignations-over-poll-defeats-189499">Democratic Progressive Party</a> (DPP) told parliament after the bill was passed.

"Taiwan&nbsp;is on the frontline of&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;infiltration and urgently needs the anti-infiltration&nbsp;law&nbsp;to protect people's rights."

Lawmakers of Tsai's DPP backed the bill, which passed 67 to zero, despite opposition criticism of it as a "political tool" to gain votes before the election.

Lawmakers of the main opposition Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, did not participate in the vote.

China's policy-making&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;Affairs Office, in a statement carried by state media, said the DPP was seeking electoral gain from the move and creating enmity across the&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;Strait.

"We sternly warn the DPP, blood is thicker than water for the compatriots from both sides of the strait, who protect and help each other: this is something no force can change," it said.

The&nbsp;law&nbsp;gives legal teeth to efforts to stop China's funding activities on the island, such as lobbying or election campaigns. It carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and will take effect after Tsai signs it into&nbsp;law&nbsp;in January.

China claims&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary.&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;says it is an independent country called the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253107">Republic of China</a>, its official name.

The Kuomintang has said it supports efforts to protect&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;from infiltration but accused the DPP of rushing through the legislation for electoral gain, calling it a threat to&nbsp;Taiwan's democracy.

Several Kuomintang&nbsp;lawmakers staged a sit-in protest in front of the speaker's podium during the parliamentary session, holding signs that read "Objecting to bad&nbsp;law" and "Damaging human rights" while wearing black masks that read "Objection".

A handful of supporters from pro-China political parties protested outside parliament, calling&nbsp;lawmakers to withdraw what they see as legislation that "ruins" cross-Strait exchanges.

China said last week the DPP was trying to "blatantly reverse over" democracy with the bill. In response, Tsai said it was hypocritical of an autocratic China that lacks democracy, human rights or freedom of speech to use the language of democracy to criticise the proposal.

Taiwan's parliament passed an anti-infiltration law on Tuesday to combat perceived threats from China as the island gears up for a presidential vote on January 11 amid heightened tension with Beijing.

Taiwan's parliament passed an anti-infiltration law on Tuesday to combat perceived threats from China as the island gears up for a presidential vote on January 11 amid heightened tension with Beijing. The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process, through illicit funding of politicians and the media and other methods. The move further strains ties between Taiwan and Beijing, which suspects Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of pushing for the island's formal independence and has ramped up pressure on her since she took office in 2016. Watch: China irked by US-Taiwan arms deal "The rise of China has posed a threat to all countries, and Taiwan is facing the biggest threat," Chen Ou-po of the majority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) told parliament after the bill was passed. "Taiwan is on the frontline of Chinese infiltration and urgently needs the anti-infiltration law to protect people's rights." Lawmakers of Tsai's DPP backed the bill, which passed 67 to zero, despite opposition criticism of it as a "political tool" to gain votes before the election. Lawmakers of the main opposition Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, did not participate in the vote. China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office, in a statement carried by state media, said the DPP was seeking electoral gain from the move and creating enmity across the Taiwan Strait. "We sternly warn the DPP, blood is thicker than water for the compatriots from both sides of the strait, who protect and help each other: this is something no force can change," it said. The law gives legal teeth to efforts to stop China's funding activities on the island, such as lobbying or election campaigns. It carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and will take effect after Tsai signs it into law in January. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name. The Kuomintang has said it supports efforts to protect Taiwan from infiltration but accused the DPP of rushing through the legislation for electoral gain, calling it a threat to Taiwan's democracy. Several Kuomintang lawmakers staged a sit-in protest in front of the speaker's podium during the parliamentary session, holding signs that read "Objecting to bad law" and "Damaging human rights" while wearing black masks that read "Objection". A handful of supporters from pro-China political parties protested outside parliament, calling lawmakers to withdraw what they see as legislation that "ruins" cross-Strait exchanges. China said last week the DPP was trying to "blatantly reverse over" democracy with the bill. In response, Tsai said it was hypocritical of an autocratic China that lacks democracy, human rights or freedom of speech to use the language of democracy to criticise the proposal.

Taiwan passes law to combat Chinese influence on politics

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday.

China's desire to showcase its ability as a future <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-uefa-announces-new-playoff-system-for-2022-world-cup-qualifiers-266326">World Cup</a> host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-china-russia-start-joint-naval-drills-270575">China</a>, which will host the tournament for the second time after 2004, had been one of four nations to initially bid to host the 24-team competition with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand also submitting bids before pulling out.

Tianjin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou will be the other host cities for the 18th edition of the continent's premier competition that will be held in June and July 2023.

"The AFC Asian Cup is our flagship competition for national teams, and I am sure that the Chinese FA and the selected host cities will deliver a tournament which is in keeping with the event's world-class status," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement.

"The AFC thanks the commitment shown by the CFA and these 10 great cities to be a part of this celebration of Asian football. I wish them all the very best of success in their desire to show the world that China PR can stage huge international football events."

The tournament will give China the opportunity to showcase its ability to host a major football event and comes several years after President Xi Jinping declared his desire to see the country eventually host the World Cup finals.

As a result, investment in the sport in China has skyrocketed in the six years since Xi - a well-known football fan - came to power, although the fortunes of the national team lag behind the leading nations in Asia.

China have only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and have never won the Asian Cup, last reaching the final on home soil in 2004. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-you-need-to-know-about-asian-cup-2019-188242">2019 Asian Cup</a> by Iran in January.

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday. China's desire to showcase its ability as a future World Cup host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June.

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday. China's desire to showcase its ability as a future World Cup host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June. China, which will host the tournament for the second time after 2004, had been one of four nations to initially bid to host the 24-team competition with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand also submitting bids before pulling out. Tianjin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou will be the other host cities for the 18th edition of the continent's premier competition that will be held in June and July 2023. "The AFC Asian Cup is our flagship competition for national teams, and I am sure that the Chinese FA and the selected host cities will deliver a tournament which is in keeping with the event's world-class status," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement. "The AFC thanks the commitment shown by the CFA and these 10 great cities to be a part of this celebration of Asian football. I wish them all the very best of success in their desire to show the world that China PR can stage huge international football events." The tournament will give China the opportunity to showcase its ability to host a major football event and comes several years after President Xi Jinping declared his desire to see the country eventually host the World Cup finals. As a result, investment in the sport in China has skyrocketed in the six years since Xi - a well-known football fan - came to power, although the fortunes of the national team lag behind the leading nations in Asia. China have only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and have never won the Asian Cup, last reaching the final on home soil in 2004. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup by Iran in January.

Beijing, Shanghai among 10 cities to host 2023 Asian Cup

Unlawful activities by Chinese nationals in Nepal is on a rise even as Kathmandu lets Beijing define the narrative. #Gravitas #ChineseNationals #China #Nepal

Gravitas: Nepal detains 85 Chinese nationals

The Communist Party of China is preparing to rewrite the holy books of Islam and Christianity amid crackdown on the country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/leaked-documents-on-uighur-detention-camps-in-china-the-key-revelations-262964">Uighur Muslim minority</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-day-in-the-life-of-uighurs-251734#protestor-stomps-on-xi-jinpings-poster-251713">In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community</a> 
 
According to the reports, the edited and modified versions of the Quran and the Bible are to exclude content that goes against the beliefs of Communist Party as part of a project calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the existing religious classics aiming at contents which do not conform to the progress of the times.

International human rights organisations have repeatedly pushed China to grant access to investigate reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dont-know-much-about-imran-khan-on-situation-of-uighurs-muslims-in-china-249715">Muslims in Xinjiang</a>.

The United Nations and human rights groups estimate that between 1 million and 2 million people, mostly ethnic Uighur Muslims, have been detained in harsh conditions in Xinjiang as part of what Beijing calls an antiterrorism campaign.

The United Nations says at least 1 million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims have been detained in what China describes as “vocational training centres” to stamp out extremism and give people new skills.

China has repeatedly denied any mistreatment of Uighurs.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Communist Party of China is preparing to rewrite the holy books of Islam and Christianity amid crackdown on the country's Uighur Muslim minority. In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community According to the reports, the edited and modified versions of the Quran and the Bible are to exclude content that goes against the beliefs of Communist Party as part of a project calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the existing religious classics aiming at contents which do not conform to the progress of the times.

The Communist Party of China is preparing to rewrite the holy books of Islam and Christianity amid crackdown on the country's Uighur Muslim minority. In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community According to the reports, the edited and modified versions of the Quran and the Bible are to exclude content that goes against the beliefs of Communist Party as part of a project calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the existing religious classics aiming at contents which do not conform to the progress of the times. International human rights organisations have repeatedly pushed China to grant access to investigate reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly of Muslims in Xinjiang. The United Nations and human rights groups estimate that between 1 million and 2 million people, mostly ethnic Uighur Muslims, have been detained in harsh conditions in Xinjiang as part of what Beijing calls an antiterrorism campaign. The United Nations says at least 1 million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims have been detained in what China describes as “vocational training centres” to stamp out extremism and give people new skills. China has repeatedly denied any mistreatment of Uighurs. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid repression of Uighur Muslims, China to 'edit' Quran and Bible to reflect ‘socialist values’

The ‘incremental encroachment strategy’ of China exhibited in the South China Sea (SCS) is a serious concern not only to the countries directly affected by losing their influence over Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but also to rest of the world as China can exert a&nbsp;monopoly over SCS Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC). Affected countries do not have the adequate muscle power to stand up to China, and hence, will have no choice but to succumb to a one-sided arrangement like China-driven “Code of Conduct” (COC).

Chinese adventurism, therefore, needs to be checked by other prominent maritime powers in the global interest. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) which comprises&nbsp;Australia, India, Japan, and the United States is often being looked at as a potential instrument to check further adventurism of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

The fact that China could build a military base in the SCS despite the presence of US Navy indicates that it does require global condemnation and effort of higher order to ensure that SCS does not become ‘China’s lake’.&nbsp;

Although Quad may not have requisite teeth as of now, but there is no other alternative than to have the potential arrangement of this kind between likeminded maritime powers having common strategic interests in Indo-Pacific Region.&nbsp;

The Quad has repeatedly been subjected to varying perceptions regarding its role, viability and prospects. Quad by nomenclature is a security dialogue forum and not a military alliance, hence the expectations from Quad have to be appropriately restricted for the time being.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Initially, the Quad appeared to be a military and maritime arrangement revolving exclusively around four democracies.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Many give the credit of the idea of Quad to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who mooted his proposal within the framework of the “confluence of the two seas”, joining the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Japan felt that partnership with the US and Australia would be integrated into its ambit besides strategic partnership with India. The four democratic countries of the Quad project themselves to be committed to an open and transparent network which “Will allow people, goods, capital, and knowledge to flow freely”. Quad is, therefore, yet to acknowledge that it has a role to check the adventurism of China in the Indo-Pacific region and could ever operate jointly as a military force for it. In fact, Quad has chosen to be diplomatically correct to say that it is not directed towards any particular country.&nbsp;

To take the dialogue forward, the Quad needs to urgently converge existing divergences regarding their individual definitions of the Indo-Pacific. &nbsp;&nbsp;

All Quad members have different threat perceptions in the Indo-Pacific. This impacts their prioritisation in dealing with challenges in Indo-pacific, as well as, their areas of focus. An important issue for effective maritime security cooperation amongst the navies of Quad is while three of the navies (Australia, US and Japan) operate within NATO military alliance framework, India is not part of any military alliance, although a strategic partner of two of them. The trilateral dialogue between the three NATO allies is continuing since 2002 without India. India is the only country amongst Quad members which has unsettled land border with China, and therefore, will have a different approach in dealing with China.

The centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific has been emphasised by the Quad, hence their inclusion into it is another debatable issue, due to Chinese influence over them. There are differences within ASEAN grouping in response to Chinese claim over the nine-dash line in SCS. Some of the affected ASEAN countries have earlier raised a feeble voice against Chinese aggression, expecting world powers to check Chinese adventurism.

They have generally tried to maintain cordial relations with both the US and China without being seen to be taking sides. This has emboldened China to continue incremental encroachment in SCS.

The common focus of Quad is to implement its idea of a free and Open Indo-Pacific on a “rules-based” legal framework to secure freedom of navigation in the global SLOC needs some introspection and strengthening. Australia, India and Japan, have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), however, the US is yet to ratify the same. This ratification will be necessary to have a moral high ground to implement the same.&nbsp;

Considering the prevailing international strategic scenario, China is reasonably confident that the US or any other country will not use military force against it. Moreover, Beijing is also increasing its naval capability. In this context, it is necessary that Quad strengthens itself beyond Malabar exercises.&nbsp;

Quad members must continue freedom of navigation exercises and military posturing in Indo-Pacific as China continues to do so. The global community must continue to condemn Chinese encroachment. Quad, in its present form, may not be effective enough to check Chinese adventurism, but it certainly has potential to become one of the effective instruments to do so, provided the affected countries and the global community unite against their common concerns.

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The ‘incremental encroachment strategy’ of China exhibited in the South China Sea (SCS) is a serious concern not only to the countries directly affected by losing their influence over Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but also to rest of the world as China can exert a monopoly over SCS Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC).

The ‘incremental encroachment strategy’ of China exhibited in the South China Sea (SCS) is a serious concern not only to the countries directly affected by losing their influence over Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but also to rest of the world as China can exert a monopoly over SCS Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC). Affected countries do not have the adequate muscle power to stand up to China, and hence, will have no choice but to succumb to a one-sided arrangement like China-driven “Code of Conduct” (COC). Chinese adventurism, therefore, needs to be checked by other prominent maritime powers in the global interest. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) which comprises Australia, India, Japan, and the United States is often being looked at as a potential instrument to check further adventurism of China in the Indo-Pacific region. The fact that China could build a military base in the SCS despite the presence of US Navy indicates that it does require global condemnation and effort of higher order to ensure that SCS does not become ‘China’s lake’. Although Quad may not have requisite teeth as of now, but there is no other alternative than to have the potential arrangement of this kind between likeminded maritime powers having common strategic interests in Indo-Pacific Region. The Quad has repeatedly been subjected to varying perceptions regarding its role, viability and prospects. Quad by nomenclature is a security dialogue forum and not a military alliance, hence the expectations from Quad have to be appropriately restricted for the time being. Initially, the Quad appeared to be a military and maritime arrangement revolving exclusively around four democracies. Many give the credit of the idea of Quad to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who mooted his proposal within the framework of the “confluence of the two seas”, joining the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Japan felt that partnership with the US and Australia would be integrated into its ambit besides strategic partnership with India. The four democratic countries of the Quad project themselves to be committed to an open and transparent network which “Will allow people, goods, capital, and knowledge to flow freely”. Quad is, therefore, yet to acknowledge that it has a role to check the adventurism of China in the Indo-Pacific region and could ever operate jointly as a military force for it. In fact, Quad has chosen to be diplomatically correct to say that it is not directed towards any particular country. To take the dialogue forward, the Quad needs to urgently converge existing divergences regarding their individual definitions of the Indo-Pacific. All Quad members have different threat perceptions in the Indo-Pacific. This impacts their prioritisation in dealing with challenges in Indo-pacific, as well as, their areas of focus. An important issue for effective maritime security cooperation amongst the navies of Quad is while three of the navies (Australia, US and Japan) operate within NATO military alliance framework, India is not part of any military alliance, although a strategic partner of two of them. The trilateral dialogue between the three NATO allies is continuing since 2002 without India. India is the only country amongst Quad members which has unsettled land border with China, and therefore, will have a different approach in dealing with China. The centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific has been emphasised by the Quad, hence their inclusion into it is another debatable issue, due to Chinese influence over them. There are differences within ASEAN grouping in response to Chinese claim over the nine-dash line in SCS. Some of the affected ASEAN countries have earlier raised a feeble voice against Chinese aggression, expecting world powers to check Chinese adventurism. They have generally tried to maintain cordial relations with both the US and China without being seen to be taking sides. This has emboldened China to continue incremental encroachment in SCS. The common focus of Quad is to implement its idea of a free and Open Indo-Pacific on a “rules-based” legal framework to secure freedom of navigation in the global SLOC needs some introspection and strengthening. Australia, India and Japan, have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), however, the US is yet to ratify the same. This ratification will be necessary to have a moral high ground to implement the same. Considering the prevailing international strategic scenario, China is reasonably confident that the US or any other country will not use military force against it. Moreover, Beijing is also increasing its naval capability. In this context, it is necessary that Quad strengthens itself beyond Malabar exercises. Quad members must continue freedom of navigation exercises and military posturing in Indo-Pacific as China continues to do so. The global community must continue to condemn Chinese encroachment. Quad, in its present form, may not be effective enough to check Chinese adventurism, but it certainly has potential to become one of the effective instruments to do so, provided the affected countries and the global community unite against their common concerns. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

South China Sea standoff: Can Quad check China's encroachment?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-and-xi-jinping-will-sign-china-trade-deal-270340">China</a> warned earlier this week that a destructive pest that has threatened the country's grain output is expected to hit more crops across wider areas in 2020, including the key corn-growing region in the northeast.

The fall armyworm, first detected in China's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/14-miners-dead-after-southwest-china-mine-blast-268614">southwestern province</a> of Yunnan in January this year, is expected to spread to the corn belt in the northeast next year, a government institute said in a report on Monday, citing the pest's reproduction patterns and high mobility.

"It is expected that in 2020, fall armyworm will be very severe and the situation will be extremely grave," according to the report by the National Agriculture Technology Extension Service Center (NATESC), an institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The pest infested 16.88 million mu (1.13 million hectare) of land in 26 provinces and regions in 2019, NATESC said in the report. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/drought-pests-could-force-india-to-grant-duty-free-corn-imports-197618">Fall armyworms</a>, which feast in large numbers on the leaves and stems of many plant species, including sorghum, corn and sugarcane, can't be eradicated and can infest and damage hundreds of hectares of crops in a single night.

China is the world's second-biggest corn consumer and producer. While 98.1 per cent&nbsp;of the land infested by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-very-hungry-caterpillar-invades-asia-194892">fall armyworm</a> in 2019 was corn field not in the northeast, 19 other crops including wheat, ginger, sugarcane and sorghum were also hit, NATESC said in the report, published on its website.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-hospital-stops-single-woman-from-freezing-her-eggs-get-sued-270187">Beijing</a> warned earlier this year that armyworm was a severe threat to the country's food security and in May launched a campaign to "snatch grain from the insect's mouth".

With its arrival expected in the north early next year, the report warned of an increasing risk that armyworm will hit corn during its budding period, devastating young crops. In the absence of corn, the pest will turn to wheat in neighbouring areas.

Larva of the pest has already been found in 9,120 mu of wheat field in China since late September, in provinces including Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu, major growers of the grain in China, the world's top consumer and producer of wheat, according to the report.

First found in the Americas, fall armyworm has spread through Asia since it was detected in southern India late last year.

NATESC urged local authorities to inspect winter crops in their region, and include fall armyworm as a regular and major target for monitoring.

China warned earlier this week that a destructive pest that has threatened the country's grain output is expected to hit more crops across wider areas in 2020, including the key corn-growing region in the northeast.

China warned earlier this week that a destructive pest that has threatened the country's grain output is expected to hit more crops across wider areas in 2020, including the key corn-growing region in the northeast. The fall armyworm, first detected in China's southwestern province of Yunnan in January this year, is expected to spread to the corn belt in the northeast next year, a government institute said in a report on Monday, citing the pest's reproduction patterns and high mobility. "It is expected that in 2020, fall armyworm will be very severe and the situation will be extremely grave," according to the report by the National Agriculture Technology Extension Service Center (NATESC), an institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The pest infested 16.88 million mu (1.13 million hectare) of land in 26 provinces and regions in 2019, NATESC said in the report. Fall armyworms, which feast in large numbers on the leaves and stems of many plant species, including sorghum, corn and sugarcane, can't be eradicated and can infest and damage hundreds of hectares of crops in a single night. China is the world's second-biggest corn consumer and producer. While 98.1 per cent of the land infested by fall armyworm in 2019 was corn field not in the northeast, 19 other crops including wheat, ginger, sugarcane and sorghum were also hit, NATESC said in the report, published on its website. Beijing warned earlier this year that armyworm was a severe threat to the country's food security and in May launched a campaign to "snatch grain from the insect's mouth". With its arrival expected in the north early next year, the report warned of an increasing risk that armyworm will hit corn during its budding period, devastating young crops. In the absence of corn, the pest will turn to wheat in neighbouring areas. Larva of the pest has already been found in 9,120 mu of wheat field in China since late September, in provinces including Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu, major growers of the grain in China, the world's top consumer and producer of wheat, according to the report. First found in the Americas, fall armyworm has spread through Asia since it was detected in southern India late last year. NATESC urged local authorities to inspect winter crops in their region, and include fall armyworm as a regular and major target for monitoring.

China's northeast cornbelt likely to be hit by fall armyworm in 2020: Reports

A single woman in China has gone to court challenging rules that forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs in the first case of its kind in the country.

Teresa Xu said she was prompted to take legal action after a top hospital in Beijing declined to freeze her eggs last year, and instead told her to "get married, and have a child soon".

"There is a huge demand among young women in China — whether married or single — to freeze their eggs as they delay the decision to have a child," Xu told AFP.

"But clinics refuse single women, because of unfair laws."

Chinese regulations forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs unless they have a health reason, such as cancer.

A Beijing court on Monday agreed to hear Xu's case against the hospital, nearly six months after it was filed.

The 31-year old, who works as a freelance editor, said she had also written to a member of China's parliament, hoping that the issue of reproductive restrictions faced by unmarried women could be raised when the legislature meets in March.&nbsp;

Unmarried women in China are also largely barred from accessing assisted reproductive technologies including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment or sperm banks.

The restrictions hark back to a time when the Communist party attempted to strictly control population growth with its one-child policy.

The Chinese government has attempted to boost birth rates in recent years, allowing all couples to have two children from 2016, but single mothers still face discrimination and legal hurdles when attempting to register a birth.

'Immense pressure'

Xu said many of her peers were postponing marriage and seeking options abroad to freeze their eggs.&nbsp;

"Many women in their 30s are under immense pressure to get married and have a child. But many don't want to do so because they are afraid their careers will stagnate or (they will) face discrimination in the workplace," she said.

"It costs about 100,000 yuan ($14,000) in Thailand and about 200,000 in the US, compared to just 20,000 yuan if done in China."

The marriage rate in China has been in decline over the last five years, and the country is grappling with one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.

Monday's closed-door hearing lasted for about an hour, according to a statement on the official social media account of Beijing Chaoyang People's Court.

Xu said the next hearing will be in January, although a date hasn't been announced.

"I am still hopeful about this case," she said. "Even if I lose I feel the process is more important than the result."&nbsp;

Xu said she hasn't decided to have a child or get married.

"I don't want to have a child for the time being, but I will think about it in the future," she said.

"I just hope that I leave myself the right to choose."

A single woman in China has gone to court challenging rules that forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs in the first case of its kind in the country. Teresa Xu said she was prompted to take legal action after a top hospital in Beijing declined to freeze her eggs last year, and instead told her to "get married, and have a child soon".

A single woman in China has gone to court challenging rules that forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs in the first case of its kind in the country. Teresa Xu said she was prompted to take legal action after a top hospital in Beijing declined to freeze her eggs last year, and instead told her to "get married, and have a child soon". "There is a huge demand among young women in China — whether married or single — to freeze their eggs as they delay the decision to have a child," Xu told AFP. "But clinics refuse single women, because of unfair laws." Chinese regulations forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs unless they have a health reason, such as cancer. A Beijing court on Monday agreed to hear Xu's case against the hospital, nearly six months after it was filed. The 31-year old, who works as a freelance editor, said she had also written to a member of China's parliament, hoping that the issue of reproductive restrictions faced by unmarried women could be raised when the legislature meets in March. Unmarried women in China are also largely barred from accessing assisted reproductive technologies including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment or sperm banks. The restrictions hark back to a time when the Communist party attempted to strictly control population growth with its one-child policy. The Chinese government has attempted to boost birth rates in recent years, allowing all couples to have two children from 2016, but single mothers still face discrimination and legal hurdles when attempting to register a birth. 'Immense pressure' Xu said many of her peers were postponing marriage and seeking options abroad to freeze their eggs. "Many women in their 30s are under immense pressure to get married and have a child. But many don't want to do so because they are afraid their careers will stagnate or (they will) face discrimination in the workplace," she said. "It costs about 100,000 yuan ($14,000) in Thailand and about 200,000 in the US, compared to just 20,000 yuan if done in China." The marriage rate in China has been in decline over the last five years, and the country is grappling with one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Monday's closed-door hearing lasted for about an hour, according to a statement on the official social media account of Beijing Chaoyang People's Court. Xu said the next hearing will be in January, although a date hasn't been announced. "I am still hopeful about this case," she said. "Even if I lose I feel the process is more important than the result." Xu said she hasn't decided to have a child or get married. "I don't want to have a child for the time being, but I will think about it in the future," she said. "I just hope that I leave myself the right to choose."

Chinese hospital stops single woman from freezing her eggs, gets sued

Chinese govt suspends additional tariffs on U.S. made automobile & other goods. Beijing has planned to impose 25% duty on U.S. Automobile products. This looks like a trade-truce between the China and United States.

China suspends additional tariffs on U.S. made automobile & other goods

Small groups of anti-government protesters gathered in shopping malls across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-teenagers-arrested-over-mans-death-in-hong-kong-protests-268280">Hong Kong</a> on Sunday amid sporadic scuffles with riot police, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam away on a visit to Beijing.

In the peak shopping season ahead of Christmas, groups of masked protesters, clad in black, marched through malls chanting slogans including "Fight for freedom" and "Return justice to us".

In the Telford Plaza mall in Kowloon Bay, skirmishes broke out with riot police, who used pepper spray on crowds and wrestled several people to the ground before taking them away.

In Shatin, police fired one tear gas canister outside the New Town Plaza mall, and took away several people, according to media reports, after some entrances and walkways were blocked, glass panels smashed, and graffiti sprayed.

The police said in a statement that some shops had been damaged and that a smoke bomb had been set off. Many shops closed early.

Hong Kong has been embroiled in its worst political crisis in decades since June with anti-government protests posing a populist challenge to China's leader Xi Jinping, complicating ties between China and the United States at a time of heightened tensions including over trade.

Demonstrators have railed against what they see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

They also say they are responding to excessive use of force by police. Last Sunday, a protest march drew around 800,000 people, according to organisers, suggesting the movement still has significant public support.

On Hong Kong island, several hundred people, many social workers, gathered peacefully to reiterate demands that include full democracy and an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality. Some called for more strikes, while others sat at tables to write Christmas cards to those who have been jailed.

"One of our goals is defending social justice," said Chan, a 20-year-old studying to become a social worker. "We have tried every measure to express our voices ... but the government still doesn't listen. We haven't put enough pressure."

Separately, a pro-government rally drew over a thousand people nearby.

"We don't support any violence in Hong Kong," said Lee Man-kan, a 54-year-old solicitor.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is in Beijing where she is due to meet Xi on Monday.

Some observers say the visit could yield fresh directives including a possible cabinet reshuffle of key local officials. Lam, however, seemed to play that down before she left, saying the first task was to curb violence and restore order.

The government is also planning more public dialogue through social media channels, as well as a second planned town hall session with top officials to try to bridge differences.

Despite the febrile public mood, China maintains it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula granting Hong Kong autonomy and says it fully supports Lam.

Small groups of anti-government protesters gathered in shopping malls across Hong Kong on Sunday amid sporadic scuffles with riot police, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam away on a visit to Beijing.

Small groups of anti-government protesters gathered in shopping malls across Hong Kong on Sunday amid sporadic scuffles with riot police, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam away on a visit to Beijing. In the peak shopping season ahead of Christmas, groups of masked protesters, clad in black, marched through malls chanting slogans including "Fight for freedom" and "Return justice to us". In the Telford Plaza mall in Kowloon Bay, skirmishes broke out with riot police, who used pepper spray on crowds and wrestled several people to the ground before taking them away. In Shatin, police fired one tear gas canister outside the New Town Plaza mall, and took away several people, according to media reports, after some entrances and walkways were blocked, glass panels smashed, and graffiti sprayed. The police said in a statement that some shops had been damaged and that a smoke bomb had been set off. Many shops closed early. Hong Kong has been embroiled in its worst political crisis in decades since June with anti-government protests posing a populist challenge to China's leader Xi Jinping, complicating ties between China and the United States at a time of heightened tensions including over trade. Demonstrators have railed against what they see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. They also say they are responding to excessive use of force by police. Last Sunday, a protest march drew around 800,000 people, according to organisers, suggesting the movement still has significant public support. On Hong Kong island, several hundred people, many social workers, gathered peacefully to reiterate demands that include full democracy and an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality. Some called for more strikes, while others sat at tables to write Christmas cards to those who have been jailed. "One of our goals is defending social justice," said Chan, a 20-year-old studying to become a social worker. "We have tried every measure to express our voices ... but the government still doesn't listen. We haven't put enough pressure." Separately, a pro-government rally drew over a thousand people nearby. "We don't support any violence in Hong Kong," said Lee Man-kan, a 54-year-old solicitor. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is in Beijing where she is due to meet Xi on Monday. Some observers say the visit could yield fresh directives including a possible cabinet reshuffle of key local officials. Lam, however, seemed to play that down before she left, saying the first task was to curb violence and restore order. The government is also planning more public dialogue through social media channels, as well as a second planned town hall session with top officials to try to bridge differences. Despite the febrile public mood, China maintains it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula granting Hong Kong autonomy and says it fully supports Lam.

Hong Kong mall protests flare with leader Lam in Beijing

Dense fog in northern and eastern China reduced visibility to less than 50 meters and disrupted traffic in some areas on Sunday.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert against fog, which led to the shut down of several expressways in southern Beijing including the Beijing-Kaifeng, Daqing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Tianjin, and Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao lines.&nbsp;

Poor diffusion of air was considered as one of the main reasons behind the pollution. The weather department predicted that the situation of heavy fog will continue till Tuesday.&nbsp;

The average concentration of PM2.5, a deadly pollutant, in downtown Beijing reached 163 micrograms per cubic meter, which falls under the category of high pollution.

In Heibei province, a visibility of less than 50 meters was observed in some areas, which led to the closure of expressways and affected flights to and from the region. A red alert against fog was also issued by the local meteorological department.&nbsp;

The entire Longkou City of Shandong Province in east China has been engulfed in heavy fog since Saturday night as the visibility dropped to less than 200 meters. It is expected that the fog in Longkou will last through the whole Sunday.&nbsp;

The menace of pollution has over the years greatly affected the residents of Beijing despite the city expected to move out of the world's 200 most polluted cities. In winters, when the condition of air pollution worsens, most of the people in Beijing are seen wearing masks.&nbsp;

However, according to new research, several lives were saved in China because of the implementation of policies to control air pollution.&nbsp;

(with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Dense fog in northern and eastern China reduced visibility to less than 50 meters and disrupted traffic in some areas on Sunday. On Sunday morning, Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert against fog, which led to the shut down of several expressways in southern Beijing including the Beijing-Kaifeng, Daqing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Tianjin, and Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao lines.

Dense fog in northern and eastern China reduced visibility to less than 50 meters and disrupted traffic in some areas on Sunday. On Sunday morning, Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert against fog, which led to the shut down of several expressways in southern Beijing including the Beijing-Kaifeng, Daqing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Tianjin, and Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao lines. Poor diffusion of air was considered as one of the main reasons behind the pollution. The weather department predicted that the situation of heavy fog will continue till Tuesday. The average concentration of PM2.5, a deadly pollutant, in downtown Beijing reached 163 micrograms per cubic meter, which falls under the category of high pollution. In Heibei province, a visibility of less than 50 meters was observed in some areas, which led to the closure of expressways and affected flights to and from the region. A red alert against fog was also issued by the local meteorological department. The entire Longkou City of Shandong Province in east China has been engulfed in heavy fog since Saturday night as the visibility dropped to less than 200 meters. It is expected that the fog in Longkou will last through the whole Sunday. The menace of pollution has over the years greatly affected the residents of Beijing despite the city expected to move out of the world's 200 most polluted cities. In winters, when the condition of air pollution worsens, most of the people in Beijing are seen wearing masks. However, according to new research, several lives were saved in China because of the implementation of policies to control air pollution. (with inputs from Reuters)

China struggles with low visibility, traffic disruption amid heavy fog

Hong Kong police chief leaves for Beijing, urges for peaceful rally, police chief calls for peace ahead of protest march.

Hong Kong police chief urges for peaceful rally

It's not just Pakistani girls who are trafficked to China, but Beijing is fast gaining notoriety as the trafficking capital of the world.

On WION edit, we will dig deep into china's trafficking problem. At the heart of this brutal human rights violation is China's one-child policy for 35 years, Chinese couples were allowed to have only one child.

The rule was relaxed in 2015, but the repercussions continue. There are 34 million more men in china than women.

This is because of an overwhelming preference for boys due to the one-child policy. Like trafficking, abortions of female foetuses, as well as cases of female infanticide, have also risen.

The restriction on women's reproductive rights continues because the communist state maintains its own 'right' to restrict family size.

This is a draconian demographic control that has turned into a human rights disaster. The case of missing girls of China has forced trafficking of girls to China.

Not only Pakistan, but bride trafficking from northern Myanmar to china has also risen. Many of these women belong to ethnic minorities in Myanmar.

Women facing harassment at home are lured by promises of employment in China. Once they reach China, they are sold for anywhere between $3000-$3,000.

These women are put in jails and then sold to produce babies as quickly as possible. Trafficked, turned into sex slaves and then child-bearing machines.

If you wonder why such a large-scale problem has never caused a public furore, here is the answer:

Violence against women is not a priority for most of these governments.

And they cannot take on China as they depend on Beijing and they won't risk the relationship for women.

Earlier this year, China's police said that it has rescued over a thousand South-East Asian female trafficking victims and arrested as many suspects.

But there are no follow-up reports on the statement. Women and children are trafficked for prostitution and men from these countries are trafficked for forced labour.

These people are threatened to work for long hours in agriculture, logging, construction, mining and garment industries, often without any breaks.

There are no laws to stop such crimes against humanity. Two years ago, the US state department placed China in tier-3 on a trafficking list.

China is the trafficking hub of the world. it ratified the u-n trafficking prohibition protocol in 2009, but china's own law remains sketchy...

Punishment for forced labour is just 3 years in jail and traffickers often escape without action. And China escapes because of its economic might.

But the world just cannot sit and watch this gruesome violation unfold because Beijing has money. Trafficking is a blatant murder of human rights, China must be stopped. 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

It's not just Pakistani girls who are trafficked to China, but Beijing is fast gaining notoriety as the trafficking capital of the world. On WION edit, we will dig deep into china's trafficking problem.

It's not just Pakistani girls who are trafficked to China, but Beijing is fast gaining notoriety as the trafficking capital of the world. On WION edit, we will dig deep into china's trafficking problem. At the heart of this brutal human rights violation is China's one-child policy for 35 years, Chinese couples were allowed to have only one child. The rule was relaxed in 2015, but the repercussions continue. There are 34 million more men in china than women. This is because of an overwhelming preference for boys due to the one-child policy. Like trafficking, abortions of female foetuses, as well as cases of female infanticide, have also risen. The restriction on women's reproductive rights continues because the communist state maintains its own 'right' to restrict family size. This is a draconian demographic control that has turned into a human rights disaster. The case of missing girls of China has forced trafficking of girls to China. Not only Pakistan, but bride trafficking from northern Myanmar to china has also risen. Many of these women belong to ethnic minorities in Myanmar. Women facing harassment at home are lured by promises of employment in China. Once they reach China, they are sold for anywhere between $3000-$3,000. These women are put in jails and then sold to produce babies as quickly as possible. Trafficked, turned into sex slaves and then child-bearing machines. If you wonder why such a large-scale problem has never caused a public furore, here is the answer: Violence against women is not a priority for most of these governments. And they cannot take on China as they depend on Beijing and they won't risk the relationship for women. Earlier this year, China's police said that it has rescued over a thousand South-East Asian female trafficking victims and arrested as many suspects. But there are no follow-up reports on the statement. Women and children are trafficked for prostitution and men from these countries are trafficked for forced labour. These people are threatened to work for long hours in agriculture, logging, construction, mining and garment industries, often without any breaks. There are no laws to stop such crimes against humanity. Two years ago, the US state department placed China in tier-3 on a trafficking list. China is the trafficking hub of the world. it ratified the u-n trafficking prohibition protocol in 2009, but china's own law remains sketchy... Punishment for forced labour is just 3 years in jail and traffickers often escape without action. And China escapes because of its economic might. But the world just cannot sit and watch this gruesome violation unfold because Beijing has money. Trafficking is a blatant murder of human rights, China must be stopped. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Inside China's human trafficking problem

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